How to Make Your Bedrooms Better and More Attractive
Many of us tend to put our bedroom design on the back burner because it’s mostly just where we sleep and it’s not a room that usually gets a lot of foot traffic from our guests.
And if they do, phrases like “I’m so sorry, it’s such a mess” or “please don’t judge it, I’m not done decorating it yet” come tumbling out of our mouths.
Well, we deserve better, no? We should have a bedroom that when we walk into it, we immediately are greeted with a sense of calm. So, let’s get into how to make that happen.
1. Add a bed blanket (textured or patterned)
Just to be clear this isn’t your average-sized throw blanket. It needs to be bigger so that you can style them as the top layer at the foot of a bed.
2. Try the single long pillow
Who wouldn’t want a bedding setup that only takes a minute to create and even less to destroy? So, if you spend more time than you’d like with your decorative pillows then this one is for you.
And in terms of colour and texture mixing rules it’s always the same. Keep it within the room’s colour palette and then decide if you want to play with a contrasting or complementing colour to the bedding. Then you can decide if you’d prefer a pattern or a solid with a fun texture.
3. The right sized rug
Here is our mostly official bedroom rug size rule:
RULE: Ideally your rug should have at least 24″ on all three sides of your bed. Our typical sizing rules are: for a Twin go for a 5’x8′, a Full 6’x9′, a Queen 8’x10′ and a King 9’x12′.
But of course, you also want to consider the size of your room.
We like rugs to be on the larger side because you don’t want most of your beautiful rug hiding under the bed. We recommend placing at having at least half if not two-thirds under the bed. That way when you get out of bed your feet are landing on the rug and not the cold floor.
Hot tip
If you have a rug which you LOVE but it's not quite large enough, an affordable way to remedy that is by getting a large jute rug and layering them underneath the smaller rug.
And if you plan on having a bench at the end of your bed, make sure that your rug is large enough to be able to go high enough under your bed AND clear all four legs of the bench with some room in front.
I promise that getting a rug that is the right size will make your bedroom look well designed and easier on the eyes:)
4. Get a functional nightstand
Most of us are “collectors”. Collectors of hair ties, books, magazines, electronics, and if you don’t have a least one drawer you will have a nightstand full of clutter. They are beautiful, simple, and give you enough storage to keep that nightstand clutter-free thus stress-free.
5. Don’t skip the window treatments
Look, if you hate the look of a curtain or a shade then to each their own. But if you are just rocking the metal or plastic blinds that came in your rental or just haven’t gotten around to picking a window treatment out of lack of time or indecisiveness then this is your sign to change that.
Every time I have put up curtains, it transformed the room. All of a sudden, the room got tall and so much cosier. They are SUCH a room game-changer.
However, curtains are not the only option. Roman shades are such a pretty way to give you privacy, add texture (and a pattern if you want) but be a little less visually heavy than a curtain.
But remember that if you want blackout shades they are going to need to be lined and there will likely still be “light leak” from the sides. Just a little food for thought.
So yes, curtains bring a bit more “drama” but they are also much easier to buy “off the rack” if you are needing or wanting to be more on the budget-conscious side.
6. Always have 2 different types of light sources (ideally warm light)
Lighting is SO important for ambiance and you are going to want to have at least two options so that you can create whatever mood you want. Also, DIMMERS! Install them if you don’t have them (and make sure your bulbs are dimmer compatible).
So, when I say two light sources, I’m talking a pendant and a table lamp, or a table lamp and a floor lamp, or a pendant and a sconce, etc, etc. Of course, if you want more get yourself more! But something I’d highly recommend is for the majority of them to be “warm”.
That means the actual type of lightbulb. We don’t love a “bright white” or “cool white” because they’re normally very harsh. It also means to have that light be filtered by some kind of shade or covering.
7. A mirror to bounce light around
So easy and so effective. It will make your room feel bigger, brighter, and can be pretty useful when you need to check out that face or outfit before heading out. Plus, there are a bunch of ways to style them…
Let’s first take about the full-length mirror. This isn’t just beautiful and functional but having a large-scale “art piece” like this will help to give more dimension to your space. To free up floor space, you can hang it on your wall or simply lean it if space is less of an issue.
If you are leaning it, make sure you secure it. Accidents happen and a broken mirror and/or person would be a very big bummer.
And you don’t have space or just want something on the smaller size, simply hang a wall mirror over a dresser (or lean it on top).
8. Personalize with some art
Art is such an easy way to really make your home unique to you. But in a bedroom, I would just make sure that the art you pick is on the calm and soothing side.
Whatever that means to you, simple line drawings, botanicals, you go for it. Also really consider the colours. Ask yourself what’s going to bring you a sense of peace and relaxation.
And here’s more! You can use your art as a second head board.
9. A place to sit is really nice
This one is definitely a luxury. Not every has bedrooms big enough for a bench or chair so I get if you don’t. For those of you lucky enough to have a little extra room to maybe have a reading chair or a bench to be able to sit on to tie your shoes!
Point to note, bedroom benches don’t always been to be at the foot of the bed.
My other ultimate bedroom seat is a plush reading chair. Bedroom corners are made for reading nooks so just make sure the chair is comfy and the cosiness will be overwhelming.
10. Plant(s) are important
Plants make every space better. We are big real tree fans and don’t turn our noses up to faux ones. So whatever kind you prefer go treat yourself if you can.
They just bring in life and happiness and a little bit of nature is good for the soul. But if a tree isn’t possible due to space or budget, a small plant is just as wonderful. Pick a pretty planter and I promise seeing that little guy will make you and your room feel better.
11. Yes, a candle
Warmth, light, AND good smells. It’s wildly simple but can completely change the air in your room.
Candles and even reed diffusers are the superstars of “cosy”. Of course, be careful and if you are reading in bed maybe set an alarm to make sure you don’t sleep with it burning all night.
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This article via Jess Bunge does not constitute advice; readers should seek independent and personalised counsel from an appropriate trusted adviser that specialises in property, a tax accountant and property or interior design specialist.